Thursday’s announcement the Suzuki Swift Sport Cup will resume competition in 2013 as part of the six round V8 SuperTourer series has seen Suzuki New Zealand weigh in behind the category to protect its intellectual rights and to support the competitors involved in the series.

Using the 1600cc Swift Sport model car in the racing category, Suzuki New Zealand will back the series as a sponsor and will continue to ensure competitors in the Swift Sport Cup series can access parts at its supported events.

The recent announcement there would be a ‘Suzuki Swift Sport Cup’ as part of MotorSport New Zealand’s premier race championship series has caused some confusion.

Co-ordinator of the Suzuki Swift Sport Cup, Paul Burborough says Suzuki New Zealand has made it clear the category that bears their trademarked names has their full support and that neither Suzuki New Zealand or the Swift Sport Cup co-ordinators have anything to do with the suggested Motorsport New Zealand events.

“There will be no support from Wingers or Suzuki New Zealand for anything other than the Suzuki Swift Sport Cup that will run with the V8 SuperTourer series,” says Burborough.

“Backing the decision to run with the V8 SuperTourer series, Suzuki New Zealand realise the key promotional benefits for teams, sponsors and competitors. It is a standalone class that has a confirmed free-to-air television package on TV3 for 2013.”

Suzuki New Zealand confirmed use of any of its trademarks such as ‘Swift Sport’ outside of its approved usage could attract a cease-and-desist order.

“Consistently New Zealand’s top selling small car brand, Suzuki has a responsibility to guard its intellectual property. The Suzuki Swift Sport Cup is a part of our brand strategy and we will be protecting it,” says Tom Peck of Suzuki New Zealand.

“The Suzuki Swift Sport Cup is a managed series built on performance, results and quality, supported by Suzuki New Zealand. That series will next run in 2013 with Paul Burborough, dealer principal of Winger Suzuki in Hamilton at the helm, and will run alongside the V8 SuperTourer category. We see this as an exciting change that fits with the brand and with what competitors were wanting,” adds Peck.

The six round championship includes past backers Castrol and Dunlop to assist emerging talent compete in a quality series and has been the home of some of the closest saloon car racing of recent years.

Confirming the dates for the 2013 season is expected late in October, with the first round expected to be held mid-late February.

A preliminary driver line-up will be announced next week along with a management board as interest in the series attracts new competitors to try their hand in the small car race category.